NEW YORK–June 29, 2010–Nickelodeon closes the quarter with its biggest second quarter performance ever with total viewers (P2+) in the network’s history and its 61st straight quarter as the top basic cable network with kids 2-11 and total viewers—the longest run of its kind. Nick also claims basic cable’s top spot in total day with kids 2-11 and persons 2+ for 2Q10. According to Nielsen Media Research (3/29/10-6/27/10), Nickelodeon averaged 2.2 million total viewers; a 3.4/1.2 million K2-11; a 3.0/649,000 K6-11; and 2.3/491,000 T9-14 for the quarter.

Nick’s 2Q10 was fueled by performances of hit series iCarly, which scored basic cable’s top entertainment telecast (“iPsycho”, Friday, June 4, 8 p.m. ET/PT) with total viewers (8.3 million) for the quarter. iCarly’s “iPsycho” also stands as broadcast and basic cable’s top telecast with kids 2-11, kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14 for the quarter.

As summer officially kicked in, Nick punctuated the quarter with a strong weekend performance (June 25-June 26) from its hit live-action roster of iCarly, Big Time Rush and Victorious. A heat wave-themed evening of programming on Saturday night (June 26, 8-10 p.m. ET/PT) won the net the time period with kids 2-11, kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14 on all TV, posting double-digit increases over last year. Quarter to date Nickelodeon’s live-action hits top basic cable on Saturday nights with kids 6-11 (7.2/1.6 million, +80%) and tweens 9-14 (6.6/1.4 million, +100%).

iCarly “iBeat the Heat” (June 26, 8 p.m.) scored basic cable’s top spot with total viewers (4.2 million) and was the top kids 2-11 (5.8/2.1 million, +21%), kids 6-11 (7.6/1.6 million, +29%) and tweens 9-14 (7.1/1.5 million, +42%) telecast on all TV in its time period. Big Time Rush “Big Time Fever” (8:30 p.m.), drew 3.6 million total viewers (+77%) and scored the top spot in its time period with kids 2-11 (5.2/1.9 million, +53%), kids 6-11 (7.2/1.6 million, +71%) and tweens 9-14 (6.4/1.4 million, +100%). Victorious “Stuck in an RV” (9 p.m.) was basic cable’s top show with total viewers (3.8 million) in its time period and ranked as the number-one telecast on all TV with kids 2-11 (5.7/2.0 million, +111%), kids 6-11 (8.0/1.7 million, +129%) and tweens 9-14 ( 7.3/1.6 million, +161%).

With kids 2-11 for the quarter, Nickelodeon boasts six of the top 10 programs on broadcast and basic cable, including top-ranked SpongeBob SquarePants, The Penguins of Madagascar and iCarly.

SpongeBob SquarePants and The Penguins of Madagascar also helped net Nick its quarterly win. SpongeBob SquarePants–which year to date ranks as the number-one series with kids 2-11 and the top animated series with kids 6-11 on all television–is the number-one series this quarter with kids 2-11 and the top animated series with kids 6-11 on all TV, and is basic cable’s top animated series with total viewers. The Penguins of Madagascar closes the quarter as the number-two animated series with kids 2-11 on all TV and is basic cable’s number-two animated series with total viewers, behind only SpongeBob SquarePants.

Nick at Nite drew its most-watched second quarter ever with total viewers (1.7 million P2+) and finished 2Q10 as the top cable network among W18-49 (0.7/409,000). Nickelodeon’s digital networks TeenNick and Nick Jr. closed the quarter with their best second quarter performances among total viewers and their core demos, while Nicktoons had its best quarter ever with its core kid, boy and tween demos.

TeenNick posted its most-watched quarter ever with total viewers, averaging 191,000 viewers P2+ (up +14% over last year) and its core demographic of teens 12-17 (0.4/62,000 +9% in delivery). Nick Jr. also netted its highest-rated and most-watched quarter ever with its preschool audience (2.8/297,000, +12%) and total viewers (543,000, +15%).

Nicktoons continues gaining momentum in second quarter, netting its highest-rated and most-watched quarter performance ever with kids 6-11 (+25%), boys 6-11 (+17%), tweens 9-14 (+33%), and boys 9-14 (+40%). Nicktoons record performance was fueled by the addition of Dragon Ball Z Kai to its hit animation roster. The series premiere (May 24, 8 p.m. ET) set a new record as the highest-rated series debut in the network’s history with total viewers, tweens 9-14 and boys 9-14. Premiere to date (May 24-June 27), Dragon Ball Z Kai is posting high double- and triple-digit increases over last year’s like time period with it key demos, kids 6-11 (+96%); boys 6-11 (+135%); tweens 9-14 (+177%); boys 9-14 (+204%) and total viewers (+155%) .

Nickelodeon, now in its 31st year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).